Words related to "Religion" | Essential Vocabulary for the GRE

Zen

noun

z

e

n

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a school of Mahayana Buddhism, originally formed in Japan, emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than reading religious scripts or ritual worship

Example

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She practices Zen to find inner peace and clarity.

The monk teaches Zen as a path to enlightenment.

Grammatical Information:

proper noun

agnosticism

noun

a

æ

g

n

o

ɑ:

s

t

i

ɪ

c

s

i

ɪ

s

z

ə

m

uncertainty or lack of commitment regarding the existence of deities or the ability to know and comprehend the nature of ultimate reality

atheism

noun

a

eɪ

th

θ

ei

iɪ

s

z

ə

m

the belief that rejects the existence of God or a higher power

theism

the Trinity

noun

t

r

i

ɪ

n

i

ə

t

y

i

(in Christianity) the concept of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Grammatical Information:

proper noun

theology

noun

th

θ

eo

iɑ

l

o

ə

g

ʤ

y

i

the study of religions and faiths

What is "theology"?

Theology is the study of religion, including beliefs, practices, and the nature of the divine. It explores the relationship between humans and the sacred, examining religious texts, rituals, and ethical teachings across different faith traditions. Theology provides insights into moral questions and contributes to discussions about the meaning of life and human purpose.

almighty

Adjective

a

ɔ

l

m

i

aɪ

gh

t

y

i

having the absolute power and ability to do anything

animism

noun

a

æ

n

i

ə

m

i

ɪ

s

z

ə

m

the belief in spirits residing within natural elements, objects, and living beings

theism

noun

th

θ

ei

iɪ

s

z

ə

m

the belief in the existence of one or more gods or deities

atheism

biblical

Adjective

b

i

ɪ

b

l

i

ə

c

k

a

ə

l

related to or derived from the Bible

baptism

noun

b

a

æ

p

t

i

ɪ

s

z

ə

m

a Christian ceremony during which water is poured on someone or they are immersed into water to welcome them to the Church

bar mitzvah

noun

/bˈɑːɹ mˈɪtsvə/

a Jewish ceremony for a boy when he turns 13, marking his transition to being considered an adult in the Jewish community

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

secularism

noun

s

e

ɛ

c

k

u

j

ə

l

a

ɜ

r

i

ɪ

s

z

m

ə

the doctrine that separates the state from religious associations

spiritualism

noun

s

p

i

ɪ

r

i

ɪ

t

ʧ

ua

uə

l

i

ɪ

s

z

m

the belief that the human spirit or soul can survive after death and communicate with the living

asceticism

noun

a

s

c

e

ɛ

t

i

ɪ

c

s

i

ɪ

ə

s

z

m

a practice that advocates letting go of all the material, mortal, or pleasurable things in order to enrich one's faith and spiritual abilities

archbishop

noun

a

ɑ

r

ch

ʧ

b

i

ɪ

sh

ʃ

o

ə

p

a bishop of the highest rank who is responsible for all the churches in a specific large area

christening

noun

ch

k

r

i

ɪ

s

t

e

ə

n

i

ɪ

n

g

a Christian religious ceremony during which a baby is named and admitted to the Christian Church

clergy

noun

c

k

l

e

ɜ

r

g

ʤ

y

i

people who are officially chosen to lead religious services in a church or other religious institution

laity

commemorative

Adjective

c

k

o

ə

mm

m

e

ɛ

m

o

ɜ

r

a

eɪ

t

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ɪ

v

e

acting as something like a statue or structure that is established to remind others of a person or event

congregation

noun

c

k

o

ɑ

n

g

r

e

ə

g

a

eɪ

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

a group of people who gather in a church to say prayers

consecration

noun

c

k

o

ɑ

n

s

e

ə

c

k

r

a

eɪ

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

act or ceremony of declaring something sacred or dedicated to a divine purpose, particularly in Christianity

crucifix

noun

c

k

r

u

c

s

i

ə

f

i

ɪ

x

ks

a cross with a image or statue of Jesus on it

deity

noun

d

ei

iə

t

y

i

a supernatural figure that is worshipped like a god or goddess

ecclesiastic

noun

e

ɪ

cc

k

l

e

i

s

z

ia

iæ

s

t

i

ɪ

c

k

a male priest, religious leader, or minister; especially a Christian one

effigy

noun

e

ɛ

ff

f

i

ɪ

g

ʤ

y

i

a physical illustration of someone, especially a graven image or statue, often life-size

epistle

noun

e

ɪ

p

i

ɪ

s

ə

t

l

e

any of the letters in the New Testament, written by the apostles

What is an "epistle"?

An epistle is a letter written by an apostle, who is one of the early leaders and followers of Jesus Christ, to Christian communities or individuals. These letters offer teachings, guidance, and encouragement on matters of faith, conduct, and theology. They address specific issues faced by the recipients and provide insight into Christian beliefs and practices, helping to shape the teachings and organization of the early church.

exorcism

noun

e

ɛ

x

ks

o

ɜ

r

c

s

i

ɪ

s

z

ə

m

the religious or spiritual practice of driving out evil spirits or entities from a person or place

Gospel

noun

/ˈɡɑspəɫ/, /ˈɡɔspəɫ/

any of the four books of the New Testament that is about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ

kosher

Adjective

k

o

oʊ

sh

ʃ

e

ɜ

r

(of food) prepared according to Jewish law

What is "kosher"?

Kosher refers to dietary guidelines and practices followed by Jewish people in accordance with Jewish dietary laws, known as Kashrut. Kosher food adheres to specific rules regarding what foods are permissible and how they are prepared and consumed. Permissible foods include those that meet criteria such as coming from animals that chew their cud and have split hooves (for mammals), and having fins and scales (for fish). Additionally, kosher meat must be slaughtered in a humane manner by a trained individual known as a shochet, and the meat must undergo a process of salting and rinsing to remove blood. Dairy and meat products are kept separate, and certain foods, such as pork and shellfish, are prohibited.

guru

noun

g

u

r

u

a religious leader or teacher in Buddhism, Hinduism, or Sikhism

halal

Adjective

h

a

æ

l

a

ə

l

(of food) prepared according to Islamic law

What is "halal"?

Halal refers to dietary guidelines adhered to by Muslims in accordance with Islamic law. This encompasses not only what foods are permissible to eat but also how those foods are prepared and obtained. Halal meat, for example, must come from animals slaughtered in a specific manner, with the name of Allah invoked at the time of slaughter. In halal slaughter, the animal's throat must be cut above the esophagus, just below the trachea, to ensure a swift and humane death that minimizes the animal's suffering. This cut severs the major blood vessels in the neck while leaving the spinal cord intact, facilitating the rapid loss of blood from the body. Additionally, halal foods exclude certain items such as pork and alcohol.

hermit

noun

h

e

ɜ

r

m

i

ə

t

a person who lives a very simple life in solitude as a religious practice

heretic

noun

h

e

ɛ

r

e

ə

t

i

ɪ

c

k

someone with beliefs against the doctrines of a particular religion

hymn

noun

h

y

ɪ

m

n

a religious song intended to praise God, especially sung by Christians in congregation

What is a "hymn"?

A hymn is a religious song or melody that is sung during worship or spiritual ceremonies. It is typically characterized by its solemn and respectful tone, and often features lyrics that praise or express devotion to a deity or reflect on religious themes. Hymns are used in various religious traditions and are commonly performed in group settings, such as churches, temples, or other places of worship. They are designed to bring people together in worship and enhance the spiritual experience of the service.

reincarnation

noun

/ˌɹiɪnkɑɹˈneɪʃən/

the belief that after someone’s death, their spirit comes back to life in the form of a new body, especially in Buddhism and Hinduism

judaic

Adjective

j

ʤ

u

u:

d

ai

eɪɪ

c

k

related to the Jew and their faith, religion, or culture

martyr

noun

m

a

ɑ

r

t

y

ɜ

r

someone who is killed because of their beliefs

lama

noun

l

a

ɑ

m

a

ə

a Mongolian or Tibetan Buddhist monk

monastic

Adjective

m

o

ə

n

a

æ

s

t

i

ɪ

c

k

relating to people like monks, nuns, etc. who voluntarily made a public sacred promise to dedicate their life to a special duty

pantheism

noun

p

a

æ

n

th

θ

ei

i:ɪ

s

z

ə

m

the belief that God and the universe are one and the same, considering the entire natural world as a divine expression of God

polytheism

noun

p

o

ɑ

l

y

i

th

θ

ei

iɪ

s

z

ə

m

the belief in or worship of multiple gods or deities

monotheism

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